Green Planning Action believes that a mixed-use development for Fry’s aligns with Palo Alto's Comprehensive Plan objectives to develop pedestrian friendly, higher density areas close to major transit and downtowns in order to preserve other low-density small-town areas. The Cal Ave Concept Plan will enable a pedestrian-oriented community that will benefit new and existing merchants and improve the vitality and quality of life for surrounding neighborhoods. Housing is especially important given Palo Alto's severe jobs/housing imbalance - adding housing where jobs are helps ease regional commutes, traffic, parking, and greenhouse gas emissions. Cal Ave would be a great place to live-- close to a great downtown area, with easy access to bike paths, parks, and transit options. This Cal Ave Plan does not have to result in increased traffic and parking challenges. If coupled with strong Transportation Demand Management (TDM) programs, requirements for developments, frequent traffic & parking data collection, Cal Ave can also be a strong example of how Palo Alto can achieve Growth Without Gridlock.

My name is <name here> and I have lived at <address here> with <family/housemates> since <year>. I love Palo Alto because <state one or two reasons>.

Thank you for considering the California Avenue Concept Plan, especially the proposal to rezone Fry's for mixed use with residential uses. It's a great time to be thinking of the future of Palo Alto and this proposal aligns with the pedestrian friendly, transit oriented development that the Comprehensive Plan envisioned. Consideration of housing is especially important because of Palo Alto's severe jobs/housing imbalance. Adding housing where the jobs are will help ease regional commutes, traffic, parking and greenhouse gas emissions.

With respect to the plan, in particular, I support <choose 2-3 reasons from reasons to support Cal Ave - why a walkable, transit oriented mixed use development with housing is appropriate here and is important>

The plan could be strengthened in a couple ways <chose 1-2 suggestions from suggested improvements>

Sincerely,<Your Name><Your Address>

Reasons to Support Cal Ave Area PlanPalo Alto needs to prioritize denser residential development in the right places:

Fund a Housing Trust for target populations (seniors who no longer need their large single family homes but want to remain in the community, Stanford staff who want to live close to campus, public employees who want to live close to work)

Fund the school system to take the pressure off of parent fundraising

Fund the preservation/renovation of nearby parks

Fund the expansion of public transportation

If people don’t walk/ bike/ take transit, the alternative is more driving and more parking lots:

Large expanses of asphalt generate heat and are eyesores

Space dedicated to parking lots means less space for housing, retail and other uses.

The construction of multistory parking garages can provide the same amount of parking on a smaller footprint and creates an opportunity to construct green roofs

Public parking lots can be replaced by apartments/condos on top of parking garages that contain free public spaces and reserved resident spaces, thus preserving parking while creating more housing units – and the opportunity to construct green roofs

Suggested Improvements to the Cal Ave Area Plan

Achieve Growth Without Gridlock - Improve Mobility

Set up a strong Transportation Demand Management programs and goals

Create aggressive TDM requirements for new developments, and hold those developments accountable to those goals

Fund Transportation Management Association to create transportation benefits for the district as a whole (residents, visitors, workers, business owners)